Effective Teaching Using Seminotes

The use of seminotes as an instruction technique has proved effective in teaching engineering courses. Seminotes are lecture material prepared with blank spaces. Students take notes during the lecture by filling in the blank spaces. This enables them to devote more time to listening and understanding what is being said. In addition, some copying of notes off the blackboard, which is required in this method of instruction, helps maintain the students' attention level. Lectures based on seminotes tend to be more organized and thus more effective. This method of instruction would provide a suitable start for novice instructors. Since the method does not fully depend on verbal communication skills, it is ideal for educators who, for one reason or another, are less than proficient in the language of instruction. Also, seminotes make it easier for foreign students to follow lecture material and to do well in the course.